Quinten Dormady to transfer from Tennessee Vols football

Tennessee quarterback Quinten Dormady (12) runs with the ball during the first half of a Tennessee vs. South Carolina game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.

Tennessee’s 2018 quarterback picture gained clarity Monday night.

Junior quarterback Quinten Dormady announced he will transfer for his final season of eligibility after completing his degree at Tennessee.

“I would like to thank everyone at the University of Tennessee program for the opportunity over these past three years to play the game I love at the highest level of college football as part of Vol Nation,” Dormady wrote on Twitter. “After weeks of reflection, I’ve decided to complete my degree from Tennessee and transfer for my final year of eligibility.”

Dormady would be eligible immediately as a graduate transfer and could play next season.

Dormady entered the preseason competing with Jarrett Guarantano for the starting quarterback spot, ultimately winning the battle and starting the first five games of the season.

He threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns on 20 of 37 passing in UT’s season-opening win against Georgia Tech. He and Guarantano split time the following week against Indiana State before Dormady threw for 259 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions in a loss at Florida.

Dormady started the following week against UMass, but was pulled in the second half in favor of Guarantano before returning to finish the game. His final start came against Georgia, as he was benched after throwing two interceptions and completing fewer than a third of his passes.

Guarantano was named the starter before Tennessee played South Carolina on Oct. 14.and Dormady was reportedly left contemplating his future with the program.

Dormady elected to have season-ending shoulder surgery in late October to address an injury that former Tennessee coach Butch Jones said “had been bothering him for quite some time.”

“I am excited as I look to the future and toward a new opportunity,” Dormady wrote. “I am making great progress every day with the help of my family, my friends and doctors. I want to thank everyone for their support through rehab.

“My goal is to work my way back to the game as a post graduate quarterback — stronger, sharper, ready to compete and to be a good teammate. That is my single focus at the moment.

“To my teammates and coaches, I want to express gratitude for all that you have done for me on and off the field and I wish the program the greatest of success in the future. Go Vols”

The Boerne, Texas, native completed 55.5 percent of his passes for 925 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions in 2017. As a backup in 2015 and 2016, Dormady attempted 39 passes in 11 appearances behind Josh Dobbs.

Dormady’s departure leaves Tennessee with only three scholarship quarterbacks for 2018: Guarantano, sophomore Will McBride and freshman JT Shrout, who signed with Tennessee in December.

Guarantano started six games and played in nine last season as a redshirt freshman. He threw for 997 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions on 61.9 percent passing.

McBride played in two games last season as a true freshman when Guarantano was injured, including starting at Missouri. He completed 17 of 40 passes for 152 yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions.